1. CONSTITUTION SONG2. TRANSPORTATION BLUES3. APOLLO 134. SHINING GOLD5. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE BLUES6. THE RAILROAD BEAT THE WAGON TRAIN7. THE KID FROM CABO8. BLACK SUNDAY9. TECH TRAIN10. THREE CHEERS

BONUS TRACKSWITH LITTLE FEAT’S PAUL BARREREAND MAYA AZUCENA

Published byJon Schwartz The Rockin‘ TeacherCarlsbad, California 92008Copyright © 2016 Jon Schwartz All Rights Reservedwww.rockingteacher.com

BONUS TRACKS

CONSTITUTION SONG WITH PAUL BARRERE (Music and lyrics by Jon Schwartz. Paul Barerre

vocals and slide guitar, Alan Mirikitani lead and rhythm guitars, Jimmy Pugh keyboards, Lee Spath drums, Johnny Griparic bass)

CONSTITUTION SONG WITH MAYA AZUCENA (Music and lyrics by Jon Schwartz. Maya

Azucena vocals, Paul Barerre slide guitar, Alan Mirikitani lead and rhythm guitars, Jimmy Pugh keyboards, Lee Spath drums, Johnny Griparic bass)

KID FROM CABO WITH PAUL BARERRE (Music and lyrics by Jon Schwartz. Paul Barerre

vocals and slide guitar, Alan Mirikitani guitars, Jimmy Pugh keyboards, Lee Spath drums, Johnny Griparic bass, Paul Barerre slide, Ira Nepus trom-bone, Tom Peterson sax, Lee Thornburg t)

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE BLUES WITH PAUL BARERRE

(Music and lyrics by Jon Schwartz. Paul Barerre vocals and slide guitar, Jon Schwartz guitars, piano and B3, Mark Damian drums, Chad Watson bass)

For expanded liner notes from Frank-John Hadley of DownBeat/X5 Music Group, and personal songwriter notes about each song from Jon Schwartz, visit www.rockingteacher.com

1. CONSTITUTION SONG (Music and lyrics by Jon Schwartz. Jon Schwartz

vocals, Alan Mirikitani lead and rhythm guitars, Paul Barrere slide guitar, Jimmy Pugh keyboards, Lee Spath drums, Johnny Griparic bass)

2. TRANSPORTATION BLUES (Music and lyrics by Jon Schwartz. Alan

Mirikitani rhythm guitar, Jon Schwartz lead guitar and vocal, Jimmy Pugh keyboards, Lee Spath drums, Johnny Griparic Bass, Ira Nepus trom-bone, Tom Peterson sax, Lee Thornburg trumpet)

3. APOLLO 13 (Music and lyrics by Jon Schwartz. Jon Schwartz

vocals, Alan Mirikitani all guitars, Jimmy Pugh keyboardss, Lee Spathdrums, Johnny Griparic bass)

4. SHINING GOLD (Music and lyrics by Jon Schwartz. Dwight Payne

vocals, Alan Mirikitani Guitars, Jimmy Pugh key-boardss, Lee Spath drums, Johnny Griparic bass, Harp TBA)

5. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE BLUES (Music and lyrics by Jon Schwartz. Jon Schwartz

all guitars and vocals, Josh Charles piano, Mark Damian drums, Pete Griffin bass)

6. THE RAILROAD BEAT THE WAGON TRAIN

(Music and lyrics by Jon Schwartz. Mark Stuart vocals, Alan Mirikitani all guitars, Jimmy Pugh keyboards, Lee Spath drums, Johnny Griparic bass)

7. THE KID FROM CABO (Music and lyrics by Jon Schwartz. Jon Schwartz

vocals, Alan Mirikitani guitars, Jimmy Pugh keyobards, Lee Spath drums, Johnny Griparic bass, Paul Barrere slide, Ira Nepus trombone, Tom Peterson sax, Lee Thornburgtrumpet)

8. BLACK SUNDAY (Music and lyrics by Jon Schwartz. Mark Stuart

vocals, Alan Mirikitani guitars, Jimmy Pugh key-boards, Lee Spath drums, Johnny Griparic bass)

9. TECH TRAIN (Music and lyrics by Jon Schwartz. Alan

Mirikitani rhythm guitar, Jon Schwartz lead guitar and vocals, Jimmy Pugh keyboards, Lee Spath drums, Johnny Griparic bass, Ira Nepus trombone, Tom Peterson sax, Lee Thornburg trumpet)

10. THREE CHEERS (Music and lyrics by Jon Schwartz. Alan

Mirikitani vocals and rhythm and lead guitars, Jon Schwartz guitar, Jimmy Pugh key-boards, Lee Spath drums, Johnny Griparic bass)

TUNES THAT TEACH

There are many skilled educators in elementary schools around the country who work hard to engage young learners by way of various teaching strategies involving music. But there’s no one anywhere quite like Jon Schwartz, an award-winning teacher in Southern California whose imperatives and innovations endow record sessions and a nonprofit education program he’s founded and named Rockademix. With boundless energy, creativity, and determination, Jon proffers debut album Tunes That Teach as a natural bridge connecting the tech-savvy education of kids in reading and writing, in math and history, and in other subjects with the positive messages of the blues. Not only for young students, Jon’s music is of sky-high entertain-ment quality for grown-ups. Tunes That Teach, featuring Jon on vocals and guitars along with a surprising assemblage of world-class musicians, buys into what the great New Orleans trumpeter Red Allen once said so eloquently: “Blues, it’s the language everybody understands. The feeling of the beautiful things that happen to you is in the blues….” Indeed, Jon (aka the “Rockin’ Teacher”) and his starting team—producer Dennis Walker, guitarist Al Mirikitani, keyboardist Jimmy Pugh, drummer Lee Spath, bassist Johnny Griparic—are fully aware that the finest, truest blues is more than melodic sophis-tication, a certain sequence of chords and structure. It’s about honest emotional expression, and Jon’s core band and guests emphasize the blues’ joy and hopeful-ness rather than stereotypical downheartedness. The recording project was the stuff of dreams. “I couldn’t believe I was working with Dennis, the guy who produced those early Robert Cray albums, and

working with the guys that played with other heroes of mine. It was surreal being in presence of people like that…. The last people I played with were my 29 stu-dents who were six and seven years old. I don’t know if anyone else in the world can say they have played with these two types of people—little kids and monster talents—on both ends of the musical spectrum!” On the first day of recording at Al’s state-of-the-art studio in Burbank, Jon took the measure of the preva-lent vibe. “They were all easy going and casual, and I was trying not to seem nervous. But it took a while to get used to being near them.” He played a few of his songs for the guys and “they came up with different tempos, better grooves than I had.” He continues, “I adjusted my vocals on the fly to match their playing.” The musicians only needed a minimum of takes to get things right and Jon reflects, “Their quickness was really surprising. I guess that’s the mark of a real pro. They do it so effortlessly.” “The thing about Dennis and Al,” Jon says, “was their unique ability to hear the potential of a song. They can see the value in something, even in its rough form, and when they see it, it attracts them, they get really into it, and they know it’s going to be good.” The songs and everything else get straight A’s. After all, the defining quality of the musicians’ contributions is the naturalness of their delivery of heart and soul; Jon and company circulate the message that learning can be fun, serious fun, when based in respect, community, sharing, curiosity, and risk-taking.

Frank-John HadleyDownBeat/X5 Music Group

THE CORE BAND

Dennis Walker (producer) has been one of the most respected producers and songwriters on the American blues and roots scenes since the 1970s. He’s earned Grammy awards for Robert Cray’s Strong Persuader and Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (he wrote the hit title song for the latter, among other originals) and for B. B King’s Blues Summit. He’s also served Bettye LaVette, Maria Muldaur, Otis Rush, Phillip Walker and Joe Louis Walker (no relations), and many others. His songs have been interpreted by everyone from B. B. King, Boz Scaggs, and Emmylou Harris to Ruth Brown, Shemekia Copeland, and Johnny Adams. As a bass player, Dennis has worked with Buddy Guy, Percy Mayfield, Lowell Fulson, on and on. His new album with Pete Herzog, It’s Gonna Rain, was selected by DownBeat as one of the Best Albums of 2015.

Alan Mirikitani (guitars, vocals) was a fixture on the Southern California blues scene from the 1980s till his death in the summer of 2015. He was the heart and soul of B. B. Chung (his alter ego) and the Buddhaheads, whose popularity extended to Japan, where they toured to enthusiastic crowds. As a songwriter, Al’s works were covered by Ruth Brown, Coco Montoya, and other notables; his tunes also can be heard in several Hollywood films, including My Cousin Vinny. Al was a well-regarded sound engineer and producer. His Burbank recording studio, The Dawghouse, was a favorite among musicians.

Jimmy Pugh (piano, organ) was part of the Robert Cray band for over twenty years, on the road and in the studio. He has also played on albums by B. B. King, Etta James, Van Morrison, and many others. Jimmy has produced records by Cray, Tower of Power, and the Gospel Humming-birds, etc. Jimmy also stays busy as a songwriter and a contributor to film and television soundtracks.

Lee Spath (drums) is a first-call freelancer for sessions and gigs in the Los Angeles area. He has worked with Thelma Houston, Robert Cray, Randy Crawford, B. B. Chung King, Pee Wee Crayton, Doug MacLeod, and innumerable others. In the jazz world, he’s been praised for his con-tributions to the MALT quartet.

Johnny Griparic (bass) may be best known in the blues

world for his affiliation with Walter Trout, whose band he joined in early 2015. Based in Los Angeles but orig-inally from Sweden, he has served, to name a few musicians, Steve Winwood, Branford Marsalis, Slash’s Snakepit, and B. B. Chung King.

TEACHER’S AIDES

Paul Barrere (vocals, slide guitar) has been a member of Little Feat since 1972. He has played with Bob Dylan, Jack Bruce, Bonnie Raitt, and many other marquee names. He has a duo with fellow Little Feat guitarist Fred Tackett.

Tom Peterson (saxophone) is an in-demand musician who has been in Los Angeles since 1970. He has performed with Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, and countless others of all stylistic persuasions. Tom regularly contributes to film and television scores.

Ira Nepus (trombone) is a charter member of the acclaimed Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and he has been employed by dozens of performers, such as B. B. King, Ray Charles, and Elvis Costello. He and Tom Peterson perform together in the L. A. 6 jazz group.

Mark Stuart (vocals) was a founding member of the Grammy-winning rock band Audio Adrenaline band and more recently has appeared in Americana and honky-tonk rock circles as the leader of the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash. Among other projects, he’s produced albums for platinum-selling folk-rock singer-guitarist Jennifer Knapp.

Lee Thornburg (trumpet) is studio-and-stage royalty, having worked with Ray Charles, Tower of Power, Tom Petty, Rod Stewart, Ringo Starr, Supertramp, and hundreds of others.

Teddy Andreadis (harmonica, piano, organ) has been associated with Carole King, B. B. King, Chuck Berry, the list stretches on and on. He has numerous credits in video, film and television work.

Joshua Charles (piano), no stranger to the Los Angeles and Nashville scenes, has supported the likes of Joss Stone and Buckwheat Zydeco. He’s recently been part of a national ad campaign for Casio Privia keyboards.

Pete Griffin (bass) plays with leading rock groups based in Los Angeles. He was a member of the Zappa Plays Zappa band for several years.

Chad Watson (bass) may be best known for his work with Janis Ian. He’s also been a pillar of support to Del-aney Bramlett, Charlie Rich, and other top musicians.

Mark Damian (drums) has diverse talents as a musi-cian, teacher, audio engineer, producer, and mixer in Los Angeles.

Dwight Payne (vocals) leads the blues-rock band called the Blues Butchers, performing in Los Angeles and around the country.

Maya Azucena (vocals) is earning wide recognition touring the world as a contemporary Soul-Pop diva, and has collaborated with living legends such as Marcus Miller, Vernon Reid, Sugar Blue, DJ Spinna, Roberta Flack, among others.

THE CONSTITUTION SONG by Jon Schwartz

Allow me to present the story of a paper d summarize From Barrow in Alaska to El Paso’s Rio Grande The work they did in Philly’s still the law of the land In order to form a more perfect union The Founding Fathers created the U.S. Constitution

In the 18th century the year of ‘87In the shadow of the war and Shays’ rebellion With their newfound freedom needing rules to guide it The leaders of the 13 states decidedIn order to form a more perfect unionThey’d hold a Grand Convention and draft the Constitution

Disputes and lack of money’s no way to run a nation!The future in the balance ain’t no time for a vacationThe Founding Fathers stepped up, like Madison and FranklinThey separated powers and balanced all the branchesA House and a Senate elected by the peopleEstablishing the court to handle matters legalInstead of birthright bosses they’ll choose a president Whose powers intertwine with congressional consentThey wrote it down and signed it to minimize confusionIt’s the story of the writing of the US Constitution

The legislative branch (the House and Senate) Submits a bill for law the same goes for amendmentsThe VP gets doesn’t vote till senate is dividedBefore a bill is ratified the president must sign itIn order to form a more perfect unionThe Founding Fathers stepped up and wrote the Constitution

The proof is in the pudding, they hit it on the noseAnd several centuries later, the paper’s power growsAnd time and time again, our nations’ problems solvedBy sticking to the script from Independence HallIn order to form a more perfect unionThe Founding Fathers stepped up and wrote the Constitution

TRANSPORTATION BLUES by Jon Schwartz

Sit back folks and I’ll tell you a tale‘bout the history of the Trancontinentail RailHow the spike driving man, inventors and machinesChanged methods of travel in our countryChorus: I’m Talkin’ transportation blues Have you heard the news? James Watt and John Henry’s skills were complementary Talkin’ transportation bluesFor thousands of years, the fastest way to travelWas a horse drawn carriage over roads of gravelSince time began, the best thing they thought upWas to hop on a horse and say “Giddyup!”

In 1781, James Watt said, “This is crazy, something’s gotta be done!Convert stored energy in coal to motion The pistons in the engines got steam trains goin’ One thing you’ve got to know about the US of AWe seldom a good invention go to wasteSpike drivers toiled hard and little by littleTwo thousand miles of track had met in the middle

APOLLO 13 by Jon Schwartz

It’s a far out ferry, it’s a souped-up planeCosmic cowboys on a space-bound trainLiquid filled fuel tanks, pushing 60 tonsA quarter-million miles from the 3rd stone from the sunThe seventh manned mission flying to the moonSent to see a crater in a rocketship cocoon

Houston there’s a problem, we just heard a rumbleQuick, check the voltage, and button up the tunnelA jolt rocked the sensor, the temperatures unstableCheck the cabin pressure, and fasten up the cablesScience and robotics and the latest aeronautics Helped them fix the problem with everybody watching

Apollo 13 needs you HoustonI hope you know the Laws of NewtonFigure a solution, run the simulatorGet them safely back, forget about the craterTired, wet and freezing, and danger all aroundThey jury rigged the a gizmo to bring CO2 downThe three men and their spaceship splashed safely in the seaHalf the folks at home sat glued to their TVScience and robotics and the latest aeronauticsHelped them fix the problem with everybody watching

SHINING GOLD by Jon Schwartz

In ’48 I heard the news, by ‘51 we made our way Left Oregon on the Siskiyou in the Northwest corner of the USA Trail was narrow, terrain was rough But the mules made twenty with a stroke of luck

For five straight days rained round the clock, we stopped the train and set up camp Chopped down pine to light a fire and lit lean-to’s with a kerosene lamp When rain stopped falling we headed for Scott Bar Driven by gold and the light from the night stars

Shining gold in dry ravines Shining gold please set me free Drawn to you like a moth to a flame With a little bit of luck I’ll stake my claim

Forward progress stopped abrupt, a coyote’s call done spooked two mules Got off of my horse and hitched the reigns with two days behind and no time to lose And a stubborn headed John and a hard mouthed Hinney Won’t come between me and a sack of copper pennies

Patience works fine off the trail, but it cost’s plenty when I’m gold seekingBut the Judge was able to persuade me, and I stopped the train to feed themAny other man, be ready to jaw But I don’t court trouble with a man of the law When the mules started chewing up the fresh trail grass the glitter of metal shone up from the ground The forest shook with cries of “Gold!” when we realized what the mules had found Digging like the devil through the early morning Till our shovels shafts broke and our backs got worn

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE BLUES by Jon Schwartz

Well you’ve probly heard the fable of the turtle and the rabbit How the bunny lost the race because he lacked good habitsBut did you know that the entire storyIs a metaphor for life, a kind of allegory

The rabbit symbolizes wasted talent and prideThe turtle illustrates how effort turns the tide The race is a symbol for a goal you chaseThe life lesson’s that slow and steady wins the raceChorus: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch Pride comes ‘fore the fall, that’s a matter of fact Put the pedal to the metal till you win the race Or you’ll be eating crow and humble pie with egg on your faceThe story ‘bout the wolf and a boy’s false statementServes a larger purpose than pure entertainmentIt highlights the dangers of telling liesUsing characters with which kids can empathize

Idioms and metaphors, and figures of speechMake comprehension hard because of hidden meaningsIn a New York minute you can get confusedAnd think “The Apple of Your Eye” is referring to fruit

THE RAILROAD BEAT THE WAGON TRAIN by Schwartz

Gather round, climb aboardRide the rail from shore to shoreThe CP Train and the 119In a race to the middle crossing state lines

When they meet at the summit next to Great Salt LakeAnd the gold spikes’ driven, the hands will shakeThey’ll write it up in history as the dateWhen the railroad beat the wagon train

Train, train coming down the tracks,Is your smoke snow white, is your coal jet black?If you head southwest from the stationWill you make it to your destination?

Is your smokestack clean, can you make the grade?Is your cowcatcher pointing to an ageWhere the steel machine is all the rageCuz the railroad beat the wagon train?

THE KID FROM CABO by Jon Schwartz

In Kona Hawaii and the Barrier Reef There’s a fishing story’s being told that’s hard to believeThe Capitans in Costa and the mates in Key West Are turning green with envy and pretend they’re not impressedFrom Hatteras, N.C. to the shores of BelizeThey’re talking ‘bout the kid from Cabo named Jacqueline

Twenty miles from shore in the blue Sea of CortezSwim the wahoo and the mahi, aquatic thoroughbredsCabo’s known for marlin, and tuna balling baitThe former is released; the latter makes it to the plateWhen the boats get to Los Arcos they raise their flags up highThe anglers tip the capitans and they wave the crew bye-bye

Big fish in the ocean, big fish in the sea

Ain’t none are too big for miss JacquelineShe fishes with her daddy way out there in the oceanOn a wave-busting, prop-turning locomotiveWhen everyone gets one, she catches two or threeThe Kid From Cabo’s going down in History

In early November while fishing with her papaA Capitan who’d spent his life pescando en la BajaThe dorsal fin of a marlin came up behind a lureDaddy said “You Ready?” Jacqueline said, “Yes I’m sure!”They pitched a bait behind a wake and held their breaths with hopeThe marlin took the bait and ran greyhounding by the boat

Jacque’s only seven stands four feet from the floorShe’s using a pink reel and rod bought at a kiddie store Every time she cranked the reel it flashes green and purpleAnd every time the marlin jumped her daddy’s boat did circleKeeping up the pressure, she brought the fish to boatBefore they let it swim away her daddy took a photo

BLACK SUNDAY by Jon Schwartz

Black Sunday filled the Dust BowlIn Guymon the winds did blowIn April 1935 fear and dread done filled the skyBlack Sunday filled the Dust BowlSince 1920 I’ve worked farm laborTryin’ to put food on the kitchen tableMade good money in the Roaring TwentiesTen years later I’m living on penniesI pulled a plow just north of GuymonThen the dust came up and blocked the sunGonna pack my bags and set out west in the morning

Well I heard there’s work in the Golden State For hard workers like me so I just can’t waitTo leave OK on Route 66My future’s brighter, it’s safe to predictIf I can reach the San Joaquin ValleyI bet I’ll make it in the State of CaliI’m gonna pack my bags and set out west in the morning

Once I pass ArizonaAnd leave behind that dust pneumoniaI’ll work the fertile green land againGrow old and healthy, remember whenIn April 1935A fearsome cloud done filled the skyAnd I packed my bags and set out west in the morning

THE TECH TRAIN by Jon Schwartz

Let me teach you something about the World Wide WebAnd the data driven highway called the InternetIt enables system users to communicate and access information in a place called cyberspaceIt’s an online operation join the tech train and hop onboard

Step up to the digital divide and crossIf you miss the tech train coming you’ll soon be lostPaper based material is in declineFive years down the road more will be onlineState of the art applications tap the power of the circuit board

Kids and teachers need to learn it everyone needs trainingExpand your range of skills because the times are changingThe mouse and the stylus have replaced the pad and pen

Everyone needs access to the World Wide WebThe train whistle’s blowing tell me what are you waiting for

Get the tablets and computers in the classroom make it snappyPrioritize the training till everyone’s tech savvyJoin the digital domain earn your citizenshipOn the fiber optic pathway paved with miles of microchipsIf your train’s stuck at the station check connections at the ports

The tech train isn’t fueled by superficial conversationIt runs on different tracks than the social network nationIts engine fosters crucial skills and vital knowledgeRequired in the global marketplace and collegeIt’s a digital migration join the tech train and hop on board

THREE CHEERS by Jon Schwartz

If history’s quilt was wovenAnd the names of the leaders sewn on one by oneWith colors that will never runI bet they’d save a space for Washington

Three cheers for a champion of libertyA favorite founding father of our countryFrom Valley Forge to NYCHe heard the call of duty from historyHe heard the call of duty from history

In winter’s frost and dark of nightHis heart led his soldiers like a guiding light

And when the crossing’s work was doneHe forged a path to victory back in Trenton

Three cheers for a champion of libertyA favorite founding father of our countryFrom Valley Forge to NYCHe heard the call of duty from historyHe heard the call of duty from history

And after the last canon ball,He didn’t let the spirit of the country stallThey framed at Independence HallA paper for the future that yet to fall

Three cheers for a champion of libertyA favorite founding father of our countryFrom Valley Forge to NYCHe heard the call of duty from historyHe heard the call of duty from history

Published byJon Schwartz The Rockin‘ Teacher

Carlsbad, California 92008Copyright © 2016 Jon Schwartz All Rights Reserved

www.rockingteacher.com

23

7

Jon Schwartz is an award-winning public schoolteacher whose pioneering work using music, the arts, and tech-nology to boost student achievement has been featured by the US Dept. of Education. The California State Senate named him “Tech Hero of 2011”. His articles and videos have been published in EdSource, Education Week, and Edutopia. He has been recognized by the US Dept. of Education and the California State Senate.

Schwartz recently founded the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Rockademix program(www.rockademix.org), which uses his academically rich songs to help public schools teach science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM), language arts, and history. Schwartz records the music with musicians like 3-time Grammy winner Dennis Walker in styles ranging from blues, rock, funk, and rap. He then develops matching curriculum with professors of education, child development experts, choreographers, and artists.

Schwartz’s “ Constitution Song” curriculum is the world’s most fun, engaging, and comprehensive way to teach people of all ages about The Constitution. It comes with an animation, books, dance moves, karaoke, how-to-draw art videos, and standards-based lesson plans. For information, contact Jon at his website www.rockingteacher.com.

6